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Propolis, considered one of the most effective natural broad-spectrum antibiotics, which do not induce resistance or destroy the organism’s commensal flora, together with catechin, quercetin and gallic acid (at different concentrations), have been tested against Gram positive bacteria Streptococcus pyogenes ATTC 19615, Stapylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and Gram negative Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, Salmonella enterica ATCC 14028, Shigella flexneri ATTC 12022, as well as the yeast Candida albicans ATTC 10231, using the agar diffusion method. Propolis and the three compounds showed antimicrobial potential at most concentrations. The highest sensitivity to propolis (conc. 0.001-1%) was shown by the Gram-positive bacterial strain S. pyogenes, followed by the Gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli, while the other species had an equal and reduced reaction. Gallic acid showed high antibacterial activity on S. aureus, P. aeruginosa and S. enterica, and a reduced effect on other bacterial strains. The antibacterial efficiency of 3.0224% quercetin was high against the bacterium S. pyogenes and catechin (2.9028%) proved to be the best antifungal, followed by propolis 1%, and quercetin 3.0224%. At certain concentrations, propolis and the three compounds could supplement gentamicin and ampicillin, as they have shown similar or even higher antibacterial efficacy than conventional drugs.

For breeding new varieties, local germoplasm can constitute a gene reservoir that is still unused. The study concerned 29 local populations collected from the counties of Timis, Arad, Bihor, which were compared with Cristalvariety. The main morphological characters, components of production capacity, concerning variability and existing correlations, were followed. 4 populations with significantly bigger fruits than the control varieties, were observed. Compared with Cristalvariety, three populations have a very significantly bigger number of fruit per plant: Satchinez, Siria, Girisu de Cris. The yield of fruit per plant is superior for many of the collection population: Satchinez ,Temeresti I, Siria, Girisude Cris, Fizis, Tomnatic and Vinga. The study indicate positive correlation between fruit weight/plant and fruits diameter and weight. However, about 80% of the fruit diameter variability is due to the influence of other characters. The correlation between fruit diameter and fruit weight/plant is not significant. Depending of the path coefficients, it was found that the number of fruit per plant shows a very tight correlation with fruit yield, and that there are considerable indirect influence on the correlation between fruit production and fruit diameter, fruit weight respectively. The established dendrogram shows that there is an obvious diversity between the populations that were collected from the same locality. Bidimensional diagram shows that Temeresti I and Fizis populations have the fruits of the highest length, diameter and weight, and Satchinez, Siria, Girisu de Cris populations have the highest number of fruits and the highest weight of fruit per plant.

Tilia spp. (lime trees) as ornamental trees have a privileged place in the European mythology and traditions and this is a reason of their constant presence in the urban landscape. Lime trees are in general very resistant to biotic and abiotic stress, although some sanitary problems may occur (e.g. aphids and other related organisms). Tilia spp. are considered a good bioindicator and accumulator of heavy metals. Seasonal accumulations of Pb, Ni, Cr, Mn, Cu and Fe in leaves of Tilia spp. in urban and periurban green areas of Western Romania, under different traffic conditions, were analyzed using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The results confirmed the direct correlation between the traffic intensity and the accumulation of Pb in leaves. By mitigating the effects of air pollution, especially in terms of heavy metals, Tilia spp. should be further promoted as urban trees.